Growth hormone-releasing hormone augments voltage-gated Na+ current in cultured rat pituitary cells

Dependence of the excitability of pituitary cells on cyclic nucleotides

Cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate and cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate are intracellular (second) messengers that are produced from the nucleotide triphosphates by a family of enzymes consisting of adenylyl and guanylyl cyclases. These enzymes are involved in a broad array of signal transduction pathways mediated by the cyclic nucleotide monophosphates and their kinases, which control multiple aspects of cell function through the phosphorylation of protein substrates. We review the findings and working hypotheses on the role of the cyclic nucleotides and their kinases in the control of electrical activity of the endocrine pituitary cells and the plasma membrane channels involved in this process.

The expression and role of hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in endocrine anterior pituitary cells

Pituitary cells fire action potentials independently of external stimuli, and such spontaneous electrical activity is modulated by a large variety of hypothalamic and intrapituitary agonists. Here, we focused on the potential role of hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in electrical activity of cultured rat anterior pituitary cells. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed higher level of expression of mRNA transcripts for HCN2 and HCN3 subunits and lower expression of HCN1 and HCN4 subunits in these cells. Western immunoblot analysis of lysates from normal and GH(3) immortalized pituitary cells showed bands with appropriate molecular weights for HCN2, HCN3, and HCN4. Electrophysiological experiments showed the presence of a slowly developing hyperpolarization-activated inward current, which was blocked by Cs(+) and ZD7288, in gonadotrophs, thyrotrophs, somatotrophs, and a fraction of lactotrophs, as well as in other unidentified pituitary cell types. Stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and addition of 8-Br-cAMP enhanced this current and depolarized the cell membrane, whereas 8-Br-cGMP did not alter the current and hyperpolarized the cell membrane. Both inhibition of basal adenylyl cyclase activity and stimulation of phospholipase C signaling pathway inhibited this current. Inhibition of HCN channels affected the frequency of firing but did not abolish spontaneous electrical activity. These experiments indicate that cAMP and cGMP have opposite effects on the excitability of endocrine pituitary cells, that basal cAMP production in cultured cells is sufficient to integrate the majority of HCN channels in electrical activity, and that depletion of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate caused by activation of phospholipase C silences them.

Role of nonselective cation channels in spontaneous and protein kinase A-stimulated calcium signaling in pituitary cells

Several receptors linked to the adenylyl cyclase signaling pathway stimulate electrical activity and calcium influx in endocrine pituitary cells, and a role for an unidentified sodium-conducting channel in this process has been proposed. Here we show that forskolin dose-dependently increases cAMP production and facilitates calcium influx in about 30% of rat and mouse pituitary cells at its maximal concentration. The stimulatory effect of forskolin on calcium influx was lost in cells with inhibited PKA (cAMP-dependent protein kinase) and in cells that were haploinsufficient for the main PKA regulatory subunit but was preserved in cells that were also haploinsufficient for the main PKA catalytic subunit. Spontaneous and forskolin-stimulated calcium influx was present in cells with inhibited voltage-gated sodium and hyperpolarization-activated cation channels but not in cells bathed in medium, in which sodium was replaced with organic cations. Consistent with the role of sodium-conducting nonselective cation channels in PKA-stimulated Ca(2+) influx, cAMP induced a slowly developing current with a reversal potential of about 0 mV. Two TRP (transient receptor potential) channel blockers, SKF96365 and 2-APB, as well as flufenamic acid, an inhibitor of nonselective cation channels, also inhibited spontaneous and forskolin-stimulated electrical activity and calcium influx. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated the expression of mRNA transcripts for TRPC1 >> TRPC6 > TRPC4 > TRPC5 > TRPC3 in rat pituitary cells. These experiments suggest that in pituitary cells constitutively active cation channels are stimulated further by PKA and contribute to calcium signaling indirectly by controlling the pacemaking depolarization in a sodium-dependent manner and directly by conducting calcium.

Changes in the cellular composition of the gill epithelium during the life cycle of a nonparasitic lamprey: functional and evolutionary implications

Several lamprey species form pairs, comprising an anadromous parasitic species and a derivative nonparasitic species that neither leaves fresh water nor feeds as an adult. This paper provides the first description of the radical changes undergone by the cellular composition of the gill epithelium during the major phases in the life cycle of a nonparasitic lamprey (American brook lamprey, Lethenteron appendix (DeKay, 1842) (=  Lampetra appendix (DeKay, 1842)) and discusses their potential functional and evolutionary significance. The gill epithelium of the larva of L. appendix contains ammocoete mitochondrion-rich cells (AMRCs), intercalated mitochondrion-rich cells, and pavement cells, as does that of the larva of anadromous parasitic species which likewise lives in fresh water. By the completion of metamorphosis, the AMRCs have disappeared and well-developed chloride cells have been produced, the latter cell type being essential for osmoregulation by its closely related anadromous species in hypertonic environments. By the attainment of sexual maturity, the chloride cells have been lost. Such changes in the timing of chloride cell representation could help account for the ability of some metamorphosing, but not mature individuals of another nonparasitic species ( Lampetra planeri (Bloch, 1784)), to osmoregulate in up to 70% of seawater. The well-developed chloride cells in the nonparasitic L. appendix represent the retention of an ancestral character.

Characterization of ionic currents and electrophysiological properties of goldfish somatotropes in primary culture

Growth hormone release in goldfish is partly dependent on voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels but somatotrope electrophysiological events affecting such channel activities have not been elucidated in this system. The electrophysiological properties of goldfish somatotropes in primary culture were studied using the whole-cell and amphotericin B-perforated patch-clamp techniques. Intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) of identified somatotropes was measured using Fura-2/AM dye. Goldfish somatotropes had an average resting membrane potential of -78.4 ± 4.6 mV and membrane input resistance of 6.2 ± 0.2 GΩ. Voltage steps from a holding potential of -90 mV elicited a non-inactivating outward current and transient inward currents at potentials more positive than 0 and -30 mV, respectively. Isolated current recordings indicate the presence of 4-aminopyridine- and tetraethylammonium (TEA)-sensitive K(+), tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive Na(+), and nifedipine (L-type)- and ω-conotoxin GVIA (N-type)-sensitive Ca(2+) channels. Goldfish somatotropes rarely fire action potentials (APs) spontaneously, but single APs can be induced at the start of a depolarizing current step; this single AP was abolished by TTX and significantly reduced by nifedipine and ω-conotoxin GVIA. TEA increased AP duration and triggered repetitive AP firing resulting in an increase in [Ca(2+)]i, whereas TTX, nifedipine and ω-conotoxin GVIA inhibited TEA-induced [Ca(2+)]i pulses. These results indicate that in goldfish somatotropes, TEA-sensitive K(+) channels regulate excitability while TTX-sensitive Na(+) channels together with N- and L-type Ca channels mediates the depolarization phase of APs. Opening of voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels during AP firing leads to increases in [Ca(2+)]i.

Involvement of tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ current and protein kinase C in the action of growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone on primary cultured somatotropes from GH-green fluorescent protein transgenic mice

GHRH depolarizes the membrane of somatotropes, leading to an increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and GH secretion. Na+ channels mediate the rapid depolarization during the initial phase of the action potential, and this regulates Ca2+ influx and GH secretion. GHRH increases a tetrodotoxin-sensitive somatotrope Na+ current that is mediated by cAMP. TTX-resistant (TTX-R) Na+ channels are abundant in sensory neurons and cardiac myocytes, but their occurrence and/or function in somatotropes has not been investigated. Here we demonstrate expression of TTX-R Na+ channels and a TTX-R Na+ current, using patch-clamp method, in green fluorescent protein-GH transgenic mouse somatotropes. GHRH (100 nm) increased the TTX-R Na+ current in a reversible manner. The GHRH-induced increase in TTX-R Na+ current was not affected by the cAMP antagonist Rp-cAMP or protein kinase A inhibitors KT5720 or H89. The TTX-R current was increased by 8-bromoadenosine-cAMP (cAMP analog), forskolin (adenylyl-cyclase activator), and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (phosphodiesterase inhibitor), but the additional, GHRH-induced increase in TTX-R Na+ currents was not affected. U-73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor) and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, Gö-6983 and chelerythrine, blocked the effect of GHRH. PKC activators, phorbol dibutyrate and phorbol myristate acetate, increased the TTX-R Na+ current, but GHRH had no further effect on the current. Na+-free extracellular medium significantly reduced GHRH-stimulated GH secretion. We conclude that GHRH-induced increase in the TTX-R Na+ current in mouse somatotropes is mediated by the PKC system. An increase in the TTX-R Na+ current may contribute to the GHRH-induced exocytosis of GH granules from mouse somatotropes.

Immunolocalization of Na+/K+-ATPase, carbonic anhydrase II, and vacuolar H+-ATPase in the gills of freshwater adult lampreys,Geotria australis

As adults, anadromous lampreys migrate from seawater into freshwater rivers, where they require branchial ion (NaCl) absorption for osmoregulation. In teleosts and elasmobranchs, pharmological, immunohistochemical, and molecular data support roles for Na+/K+-ATPase (NPPase), carbonic anhydrase II (CAII), and vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) in two different models of branchial ion absorption. To our knowledge, these transport-related proteins have not been studied in adult freshwater lampreys, and therefore it is not known if they are expressed, or have similar functions, in lampreys. The purpose of this study was to localize NPPase, CAII, and V-ATPase in the gills of adult freshwater lampreys and determine if any of these transport-related proteins are expressed in the same cells. Heterologous antibodies were used to localize the three proteins in gill tissue from pouched lamprey (Geotria australis). Immunoreactivity (IR) for all three proteins occurred between, and at the base of, lamellae in cells that match previous descriptions of mitochondrion-rich-cells (MRCs). NPPase-IR was always on the basolateral side of cells that did not stain for CAII or V-ATPase. In contrast, CAII-IR was always on the apical side of cells that also contained diffuse V-ATPase-IR. Therefore, we have identified two types of MRC in adult freshwater lamprey gills based on immunohistochemical staining for three transport proteins. A model of ion transport, based on our results, is proposed for adult freshwater lampreys.

Orexin-A augments voltage-gated Ca2+ currents and synergistically increases growth hormone (GH) secretion with GH-releasing hormone in primary cultured ovine somatotropes

Orexins are recently discovered neuropeptides that play an important role in the regulation of hormone secretion, and their receptors have been recently demonstrated in the pituitary. The effects of orexin-A on voltage-gated Ca2+ currents and GH release in primary cultured ovine somatotropes were examined. The expression of orexin-1 receptor was demonstrated by RT-PCR in ovine somatotropes, from which Ca2+ currents were also isolated as L, T, and N currents. Application of orexin-A (100 nM) significantly and reversibly increased only the L current, and coadministration of orexin-A and GHRH (10 nM) showed an additive effect on this current, but no effect of orexin-A was observed on either T or N current. Furthermore, the orexin-A-induced increase in the L current was completely abolished by the inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity using calphostin C (100 nM), phorbal 12,13-dibutyrate pretreatment (0.5 micro M) for 16 h or specific PKC inhibitory peptide PKC(19-36) (1 mM). However, the increase in L current by orexin-A was sustained when cells were preincubated with a specific protein kinase A blocker H89 (1 micro M) or a specific intracellular Ca2+ store depleting reagent thapsigargin (1 micro M). Finally, orexin-A alone did not significantly increase GH release, but coadministration of orexin-A and GHRH showed a synergistic effect on GH secretion in vitro. Our results therefore suggest that orexin-A may play an important role in regulating GHRH-stimulated GH secretion through the enhancement of the L-type Ca2+ current and the PKC-mediated signaling pathway in ovine somatotropes.

Fish gill morphology: inside out

In this short review of fish gill morphology we cover some basic gross anatomy as well as in some more detail the microscopic anatomy of the branchial epithelia from representatives of the major extant groups of fishes (Agnathans, Elasmobranchs, and Teleosts). The agnathan hagfishes have primitive gill pouches, while the lampreys have arch-like gills similar to the higher fishes. In the lampreys and elasmobranchs, the gill filaments are supported by a complete interbranchial septum and water exits via external branchial slits or pores. In contrast, the teleost interbranchial septum is much reduced, leaving the ends of the filaments unattached, and the multiple gill openings are replaced by the single caudal opening of the operculum. The basic functional unit of the gill is the filament, which supports rows of plate-like lamellae. The lamellae are designed for gas exchange with a large surface area and a thin epithelium surrounding a well-vascularized core of pillar cell capillaries. The lamellae are positioned for the blood flow to be counter-current to the water flow over the gills. Despite marked differences in the gross anatomy of the gill among the various groups, the cellular constituents of the epithelium are remarkably similar. The lamellar gas-exchange surface is covered by squamous pavement cells, while large, mitochondria-rich, ionocytes and mucocytes are found in greatest frequency in the filament epithelium. Demands for ionoregulation can often upset this balance. There has been much study of the structure and function of the branchial mitochondria-rich cells. These cells are generally characterized by a high mitochondrial density and an amplification of the basolateral membrane through folding or the presence of an intracellular tubular system. Morphological subtypes of MRCs as well as some methods of MRC detection are discussed.

Diverse intracellular signalling systems used by growth hormone-releasing hormone in regulating voltage-gated Ca2+ or K channels in pituitary somatotropes

Influx of Ca2+ via Ca2+ channels is the major step triggering exocytosis of pituitary somatotropes to release growth hormone (GH). Voltage-gated Ca2+ and K+ channels, the primary determinants of the influx of Ca2+, are regulated by GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) through G-protein-coupled intracellular signalling systems. Using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, the changes of the Ca2+ and K+ currents in primary cultured ovine and human somatotropes were recorded. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (10 nmol/L) increased both L- and T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ currents. Inhibition of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway by either Rp-cAMP or H89 blocked this increase in both L- and T-type Ca2+ currents. Growth hormone-releasing hormone also decreased voltage-gated transient (IA) and delayed rectified (IK) K+ currents. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, such as calphostin C, chelerythrine or downregulation of PKC, blocked the effect of GHRH on K+ currents, whereas an acute activation of PKC by phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (1 micromol/L) mimicked the effect of GHRH. Intracellular dialysis of a specific PKC inhibitor (PKC19-36) also prevented the reduction in K+ currents by GHRH. It is therefore concluded that GHRH increases voltage-gated Ca2+ currents via cAMP/PKA, but decreases voltage-gated K+ currents via the PKC signalling system. The GHRH-induced alteration of Ca2+ and K+ currents augments the influx of Ca2+, leading to an increase in [Ca2+]i and the GH secretion.

Growth hormone-releasing hormone decreases voltage-gated potassium currents in GH4C1 cells

The electrophysiological properties of anterior pituitary somatotropes integrally involve the function of voltage-gated K+ currents. In this study, we have used GH4C1 cell lines to investigate the effect of human GHRH on voltage-gated K+ currents. Because of a clear 'rundown' of the K+ current with classic whole cell recording (WCR) without ATP in pipette solution, nystatin-perforated WCR was the major recording configuration used. Using a low Ca2+ (0.5 mM) bath solution containing Co2+ (1 mM) and TTX (1 microM), GH4 cells predominantly exhibited an outward delayed rectifier K+ current (IK). Local application of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) (100 nM) reversibly reduced the amplitude of the K+ currents (to 83% of control). There was no effect of GHRH on the activation curve of the K+ current and no difference observed using 2.5 mM Ca2+ or low Ca2+ (0.5 mM Ca2++1 mM Co2+) bath solutions. Under the condition of low Ca2+ bath solution, the application of apamin (1 microM) or charybdotoxin (1 microM), two specific blockers of the Ca2+-activated K+ current, did not alter the K+ current or the response to GHRH. This reduction in the K+ current by GHRH was also observed with classic WCR with a pipette solution containing ATP (2 mM). The GHRH-induced reduction in the K+ current was completely abolished by the presence of GDP-beta-s (500 microM) in the pipette solution or by addition of PKC inhibitors, calphostin C (100 nM) and chelerythrine (1 microM), in bath solution. Inhibitor for cAMP-PKA system (Rp-cAMP and H89) did not affect the K+ current response to GHRH. These results suggest that GHRH reduces the voltage-gated K+ current in GH4C1 cells, a response that is mediated by G-proteins and PKC system but not by cAMP-PKA system. The reduction in the K+ current may partially contribute to the GHRH-stimulated growth hormone (GH) secretion.

Human GHRH reduces voltage-gated K+ currents via a non-cAMP-dependent but PKC-mediated pathway in human GH adenoma cells

1. Whole-cell voltage-gated K+ currents and the K+ current response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) were characterised in primary cultures of human acromegalic somatotropes. 2. Both delayed rectifier (IK) and transient (IA) K+ currents were recorded from human somatotropes held at -80 mV and bathed in a solution containing Cd2+ (1 mM), TTX (1 microM) and a low concentration of Ca2+ (0.5 mM). Only IK was recorded, however, when a holding potential of -40 mV was used. 3. GHRH (10 nM) immediately and significantly reduced the amplitude of both IA and IK. While the reduction in the amplitude of IA was fully reversed following the removal of GHRH, the amplitude of IK had only partially recovered 10 min after GHRH removal. In addition, GHRH shifted the voltage-dependent inactivation curve of IA by 13.5 mV in the negative direction. 4. In a low Ca2+ and Cd2+-containing solution, the Ca2+-activated K+ channel blockers apamin (100 nM and 1 microM) and charybdotoxin (1 microM) did not alter K+ currents or the effect of GHRH on the recorded K+ currents. 5. The whole-cell K+ currents and their responses to GHRH were unaffected by the application of 8-bromo-cAMP (100 microM), Rp-cAMP (100 microM) or the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89 (1 microM). In addition, intracellular dialysis of the PKA inhibitory peptide PKI (10 microM) had no effect on the K+ current response to GHRH. 6. While the application of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors calphostin C (100 nM) or chelerythrine (1 microM) did not affect the amplitude of the K+ currents, the K+ current response to GHRH was significantly attenuated. Downregulation of PKC with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu, 0.5 microM for 16 h) also abolished the K+ current response to GHRH. In addition, intracellular dialysis of somatotropes with the PKC inhibitory peptide PKC19-36 (1 microM) prevented the GHRH-induced decrease in the amplitude of the voltage-gated K+ currents. Local application of PDBu (1 microM) significantly reduced the amplitude of the voltage-gated K+ currents in a similar manner to that induced by GHRH, but without clear recovery upon removal. 7. This study demonstrates that GHRH decreases voltage-gated K+ currents via a PKC-mediated pathway in human adenoma somatotropes, rather than by the cAMP-PKA pathway that is usually implicated in the actions of GHRH.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 elevates cytosolic calcium in pancreatic beta-cells independently of protein kinase A

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (7-36)amide (GLP-1) is an insulinotropic intestinal peptide hormone with a potential role as antidiabetogenic therapeutic agent. It mediates a potentiation of glucose-induced insulin secretion, by activation of adenylate cyclase and subsequent elevation of cytosolic free calcium, [Ca2+]cyt. We investigated the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in GLP-1 signal transduction, using isolated mouse islets as well as the differentiated beta-cell line INS-1. Two specific inhibitors of PKA, (Rp)-adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosporothioate (Rp-cAMPS, up to 3 mM) and KT5720 (up to 10 microM), did not inhibit the GLP-1-induced [Ca2+]cyt elevation. Another PKA inhibitor, H-89, reduced the [Ca2+]cyt elevation only when applied at high concentrations (10-40 microM), higher than sufficient for PKA inhibition in many cell types. Furthermore, at these concentrations, H-89 also inhibited presumably PKA-independent processes such as glucose-induced [Ca2+]cyt elevations and intracellular calcium storage. This suggests a PKA-independent action of H-89. Similarly to H-89, the potent but unselective protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine inhibited the GLP-1-induced [Ca2+]cyt elevation only at high concentrations, at which it also inhibited glucose-induced [Ca2+]cyt elevations. The same observations as with GLP-1 were made when adenylate cyclase was stimulated with forskolin, for selective examination of signal transduction downstream of receptor and G protein. Our results suggest that the GLP-1-induced [Ca2+]cyt elevation is mediated independently of PKA and thus belongs to the yet-little-characterized ensemble of effects that are mediated by binding of cAMP to other target proteins.

Regulation by growth hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin of a Na+ current in the primary cultured rat somatotroph

The purpose of the present study is to characterize Na+ current activated by GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and to investigate the effect of somatostatin (SRIF) on that current, because the Na+ current has been suggested to play a pivotal role in the process of GHRH-induced GH secretion. Primary-cultured pituitary somatotrophs were prepared from male Wistar rats. Whole-cell membrane currents were recorded and analyzed by a perforated patch clamp system. To isolate Na+ current, K+ and Ca2+ were replaced with Cs+ and Mg2+, respectively, in the extracellular solution, and cesium aspartate was used for the pipette solution. Furthermore, tetrodotoxin and nifedipine were added to the extracellular solution to eliminate the voltage-gated currents. Under these conditions, GHRH activated a mean inward Na+ current (-1.86 +/- 0.33 pA, mean +/- SE) at potentials between -50 and -20 mV and a smaller current (-0.59 +/- 0.13 pA) at potentials between -100 and -80 mV, which were completely blocked by protein kinase A blocker (H-89). In addition, SRIF (1-10 nM) partially suppressed these Na+ currents, which were not affected by phosphatase inhibitors (okadaic acid and calyculin A). These results suggest that GHRH activates the Na+ current through phosphorylation by protein kinase A and that SRIF partially suppressed this current and that the current was larger at more positive potentials than at more negative potentials.

Activation of Na+ channels in GH3 cells and human pituitary adenoma cells by PACAP

The effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) on ion channels were examined in GH3 cells human pituitary adenoma cells. In GH3 cells, PACAP-38 (10-9 M) reversibly activated tetrodotoxin-sensitive NA+ channels but had little effect on nicardipine-sensitive Ca2+ channels. PACAP-induced increase in Na+ currents was inhibited by PACAP (6-38), a specific PACAP receptor antagonist, and Rp-cAMPs, an inhibitor for protein kinase A, and mimicked by 8-bromo-cAMP. In human pituitary adenoma cells, PACAP also activated tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ channels and growth hormone secretion. These results suggest the possibility that PACAP can activate voltage-gated Na+ channels via adenylate cyclase-protein kinase A pathway in the pituitary.